"You're back early." Harry met Draco on the way back to Hogwarts.
"I would have been there a little longer, but my mother started trying to get my attention." Draco shook his head. "Also had to avoid being seen by Pansy, Goyle, and Kyle."
"Those three sound like trouble." Harry remembered something. "Oh, about Kyle. He was fired on Friday. He was allowed to finish out the day, but he no loner works for the Ministry."
"What happened?" Draco asked. Him being fired explained why he was hanging around Diagon Alley.
"Anonymous letter led to an investigation into his conduct. The investigation concluded Friday morning and the results did not favor Kyle." Harry threw his hands up before continuing. "That's all I can say on the matter."
"Speaking of Kyle, Dimitri said that the three of them were up to something - though he only mention Kyle and Pansy. Sounds like they're targeting Amethyst." Draco explained what Dimitri had told him.
"She'll be safer at the school so that helps. Alumni have been invited to Halloween, but I'm not sure who all has said they're coming. Sounds like Dimitri is holding family about other things." Harry thought a moment. "Are you going to tell Amethyst?"
"She needs to know. Especially since she doesn't have a wand right now." Draco replied. He wasn't sure how she was going to react though. "That is what I went to try and fix."
"How'd that go?"
"Ollivander said he will try to have it complete by Christmas but will let me know when it's finished. I'm hoping it will be her Christmas present… at least one of them." They headed into the Great Hall for lunch. Amethyst was talking to Neville and Ginny. "Does she seem agitated?"
"They all do." Harry answered, noticing their facial expressions. They quickened their pace. "What's going on?"
"McGonagall just told up that the Magical Creatures department is pushing for complete destruction of Hogwarts' acromantula colony. And they want it done by the New Year." Neville explained.
"Hermione is trying to reason with them." Ginny added quickly.
"Hagrid is on a rampage." Amethyst sounded defeated. "I can understand their concern, but they don't seem to understand the scale or any other implications of complete eradication." She shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. Draco rested a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled weakly.
"Hermione will at least compromise." Ginny tried to reassure them. "Even if only to maintain centaur relations."
"I've already sent Bane a message. I told him that nothing has been decided…" Before she could finish, Scorpius came running up to them.
"Professor… centaurs… courtyard…" He panted. Amethyst took off for the courtyard. The others were right behind her.
"Bane?" Amethyst slowed to a walk as she approached the three centaurs.
"Full eradication? By the New Year?" Bane questioned.
"The Minister is talking to the department." Amethyst replied. "What are unwanted implications to complete eradication? How badly will it upset the balance?"
"They aren't native, but since they've been established for a while it is hard to say. We will need some time to study that. If we're going that direction, dead of winter is the best time, however, we need time to figure out the best and safest way." Bane looked at the other two centaurs who nodded in agreement.
"I agree." Amethyst nodded as well. "I will pass all of this on to the Minister immediately. I'll send Ember with a response." Bane and the other centaurs nodded and then turned and headed back to the forest. Amethyst headed into the castle. She headed to Flitwick's office as it was the nearest fireplace. She knocked on the door.
"Enter." Flitwick's voice answered. "Professor Abbott, what can I do for you?"
"I need to borrow your fireplace. I need to send an urgent message to the Minister." She said. He motioned to the fireplace and she sent a signal to Hermione's office. Her voice answered and Amethyst left a message relaying what Bane had said.
"Professor McGonagall mentioned what was going on. It's a bit ridiculous what is being suggested. You'd think they would understand it a lot more, considering it is their job to know these beasts." Flitwick said.
"Hopefully they will see reason." Amethyst sighed.
"How's the training?" Flitwick knew she was practicing wandless magic.
"Progressing. I've nearly perfected some of the more basic charms, even silently." Amethyst demonstrated the "Lumos" charm and a faint ball of light hovered in her palm.
"That's actually impressive. Maybe you could help me with the wandless magic section when we get there… I'm hoping it will be approved for additional curriculum soon." Flitwick was quite surprised at how quickly she picked it up.
"Let's get through all of this and then we can talk about that. I still prefer a wand." Amethyst thought for a moment. "Even if I do get a new wand, I still want to practice wandless magic."
"It's a useful skill to have, even if just basic charms." Flitwick said as they headed out of the office.
"McGonagall headed to her office. She wants to have a meeting with all of us after supper." Neville said. "Harry, Ginny, Draco, and all of the professors."
"Has the Ministry made a decision?" Harry asked. Neville shrugged.
"I've got class. Harry, you might want to find Hagrid." Amethyst said before heading to the courtyard.
"Are you okay?" Draco walked with her.
"Sometimes I don't understand the Ministry. Especially when they should know better. If they don't understand acromantulas and how large the Hogwarts colony is, then they probably shouldn't be in the department." Amethyst sighed. "They are probably getting complaints from parents and are feeling the pressure."
"Hopefully, Hermione will be able to convince them to see reason." Draco squeezed her shoulder. She nodded. Class went by quickly, even though Amethyst was struggling to concentrate.
"Professor Abbott, are you okay?" Scorpius and Albus approached her after class.
"Just a lot on my mind." She smiled at them.
"Anything to do with the centaurs?" Scorpius asked. She could tell he was genuinely concerned about her.
"Yes, at least some. But nothing for you to worry about. Focus on your upcoming exams." The boys waved and headed off to their next class. Amethyst took a deep breath and stood in the quiet courtyard. The hippogriffs were off hunting, including most of the babies. She closed her eyes as it started to rain. It was a mild day, especially for late October. As she stood there with her face towards the sky, she felt someone next to her. She opened her eyes to see Draco standing there watching her. A smile played at his lips and she turned to face him. The rain slowed and became more of a mist. The droplets clung to Draco's white hair, making it shimmer. Amethyst stepped towards him and rested her hands on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, chasing away any chill that came. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes. He pulled her in tighter and rested his cheek against the top of her head. All sound was drowned out by the beat of Draco's heart and everything that had been worrying her drifted away on the wind.
"Amethyst, I bumped into Dimitri while I was in Diagon Alley." Draco broke the silence after a while. She pulled back to look at him. "He said he can meet you at the Three Broomsticks at noon on Saturday. He also said that Pansy and Kyle are up to something. I saw them with Goyle. I've let Harry know, but you need to be aware, too. Nothing is going to happen to you. I won't let it." Draco kissed the top of her head. Then they headed inside for supper.